Bad Bunny concluded his Super Bowl halftime show with a call for togetherness, declaring, “Together we are America.” However, some critics not-so-subtly labeled the performance as divisive and even “decadent.”
The Puerto Rican artist chose to perform solely in Spanish, seemingly ignoring the 78% of American households that primarily speak English.
In a previous remark, Bad Bunny had quipped that anyone displeased with his halftime performance should “learn Spanish for four months.”
Steven Van Zandt, notable for his time with ‘The Sopranos’ and the E Street Band, commented on the matter, stating, “Expanding to a Latino audience is one thing, but creating a show solely for that audience? They’re going to hear about this show.” He expressed disappointment over the lack of subtitles, arguing that it could exacerbate divisions instead of countering them.
Former President Trump joined the chorus of disapproval, calling the halftime show “an insult to America’s greatness.” He criticized the performance on Truth Social, lamenting that it was among the worst ever, claiming it failed to reflect American standards of creativity and excellence. He remarked on the incomprehensibility of the lyrics and called the dancing inappropriate for young viewers.
Trump had previously announced he would skip this year’s Super Bowl following the news that Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, would headline the halftime segment.
The actual performance took place against a backdrop resembling a sugarcane field, complete with actors dressed as immigrants laboring in the heat.
Bad Bunny navigated through a maze of sugarcane, past food vendors and workers, presenting themes tied to immigrant experiences, aligning with his known stance against ICE.
During the show, Lady Gaga made an unexpected appearance, performing “Die With a Smile” in Spanish.
Trump added, “This show is nothing but a ‘slap in the face’ to our nation, which is achieving new records daily, including a soaring stock market.” He dismissed the performance as chaotic and anticipated positive reviews from the media, suggesting they were out of touch with reality.
Controversy also arose from Bad Bunny’s lyrics, specifically his song “Tití Me Preguntó,” which discusses relationships with multiple partners.
Turning Point USA’s Andrew Corbett criticized the show, saying it was “worse than expected” and labeled it as “pure regression.” They responded with their own “All American” halftime show, which drew over 5 million viewers and showcased a lineup of American artists celebrating blue-collar workers.
In contrast, Lady Gaga performed alongside Bad Bunny, also in Spanish.
Towards the end of his performance, Bad Bunny appeared waving a Puerto Rican flag, surrounded by dancers mimicking power line workers. He recited the names of all the nations in the Americas, showcasing flags from each country.
He concluded the segment by presenting a football that read “Together We Are America” and spiking it in celebration.
Yet, many conservative commentators criticized the performance, viewing it as a political statement centered on identity and language. John Root remarked that it was entirely inappropriate for the NFL to host such a show with non-English performers.
Some called Bad Bunny’s show the “worst halftime show in league history,” expressing disappointment that America’s milestone anniversary wasn’t better celebrated.
Others echoed these sentiments, like Megyn Kelly, who stated her preference for performances in English, asserting that the Super Bowl should encapsulate an American essence. One influencer even claimed she couldn’t grasp any part of the show due to the language barrier.
Strangely, shortly after the broadcast, Bad Bunny deleted her entire Instagram history, leaving her vast follower base puzzled.
